Lamar Hurd

Emily Maynard‘s upcoming season of The Bachelorette is in full-swing. The beautiful, blonde sweetheart was spotted filming her dates all over her hometown of Charlotte, NC and spoilers are popping out everywhere about Emily’s guys. This week ABC headed to Toronto to start the first leg of the international dates and apparently things are going well for one of the most beloved Bachlorettes ever!

Despite Emily’s sweet demeanor, host Chris Harrison wants the world to know she’s not always Miss Nicey-Nice! “She’s a pistol,” Chris warnedKelly Ripa on Live with Kelly “She’s sweet until she’s not!” Emily is also, apparently, “Perfect on a stick!” Whatever that means. Well, thanks for the update Chris and here’s hoping Emily keeps any rogue bachelors in line!

Moving on, rumors are swirling thatThe Bachelor is finally ready to introduce some diversity into its dating pool. Finally. According to Entertainment Weekly, Portland-based sportscaster and philanthropist Lamar Hurd could be on his way to becoming the show’s first African-American Bachelor! Can I just say it again – it’s about freaking time!

The 28-year-old former Oregon State basketball player interviewed with ABC about potentially signing onto the show as The Bachelor. Lamar’s assistant initially convinced him to submit a video to Bachelor casting directors and he was surprised when it garnered the attention of producers.

Show creator Mike Fleiss admitted last year that the show badly needed to diversify. “We always want to cast for ethnic diversity, it’s just that for whatever reason, they don’t come forward. I wish they would,” he explained.

Lamar, who is also divorced, is excited about the possibility of joining the show and has started a Twitter (@1stBlkBachelor) campaign to keep fans updated. “Let’s say I wanted to go on it, and was willing to do it, they haven’t even had a black Bachelor,” he said of joining the show.

And Lamar’s philosophy on love is simple: “It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, it’s who I’m doing it with. So if it’s someone that I’m in love with then we’re going to have a good time.” A video of Lamar talking about the show and a photo are below!

ARE YOU EXCITED FOR EMILY’S SEASON? THOUGHTS ON LAMAR HURD AS THE FIRST BLACK BACHELOR?